deck afterwards
having knocked him senseless for the time and, indeed, bruised him very
considerably.

Macan, though, had all an Irishman's pluck, and would not give in.

"Sure, sor, it's ownly a thrifle," he urged, when told by Mr Stormcock
to go below to Mr McGilpin, who was busy in the after-cabin, attending
to those of the wounded that the Chinese gunners, who aimed remarkably
well, had not put altogether beyond the reach of surgical aid. "I
wudn't throuble the docthor wid it; an' faix, I want to pay thim Chaynee
images fur smashin' me crockery! Bedad, an' I will, too, for I've got
my hands left all right an' a straight oye, an', I'll have a slap at 'em
ag'in, sure, by your leve, sor!"

"Carry on!" cried Mr Stormcock, who had been assisting to wedge up the
gun so that it could be still fired, only the carriage having been
injured by the shot. "Make as good practice as you did before, Macan;
and, then you'll soon be revenged on some of those beggars!"

"I will that, sor," replied the corporal, bending down to the rear right
of the sixty-four pounder, which had been slewed round in the direction
of the battery abreast us, and taking careful aim. "A ha'porth more
illivation, Number 2. Well--muzzle left! Well--fire!"

Bang it went off, making the dirt fly from the embrasure opposite, while
a cloud of smoke rose up, as if a magazine had been exploded; and so we
continued, hammer and tongs, the atmosphere all sulphur and gunpowder,
the deck slippery with gore, our ears deafened with the ceaseless
discharges of the guns, till it really seemed "as if Hell had broken
loose!" as Mr Stormcock said.

It was the last sentence the master's mate ever uttered; for a bullet
penetrated his brain the next instant, and he dropped down beside me
stone dead, almost as soon as the words escaped his lips.

I hardly knew what occurred after that, I was so saddened by the loss of
Mr Stormcock, whom I had always found a very good friend to me, for he
had taught me a good deal; and, notwithstanding that I had not taken to
him at first, I had since learnt to have a most sincere regard for him,
while he on his part, though so much older than myself, liked me, I
believe, for he appeared fond of being in my company.

His death, however, only added one more to the long list of those who
had already fallen; while every moment some fresh casualty occurred.

The enemy's fire got hotter as the afternoon wore on and the fight
proceeded,